Just Jo

A few weeks back, the (Twitter) Minister of State Shashi Tharoor was in the news for his remarks on “Cattle Class” and “Holy Cows”. The supporters of Shashi Tharoor were quick to respond and to point out how we Indians do not understand the pun of English language or can’t take a joke for its humor sense. The good part of the whole incident is that people like me, who are neither well versed in the English language nor familiar with the phrases related to Air travel, could learn a new word – “Cattle Class“.

Shashi Tharoor’s aide(s) went a step ahead during this incident. They kept re-tweeting the supportive (only supportive) Tweets, indicating how we Indians have run out of (English) humor. Now on to the story – A Mumbai based journalist started a fake Twitter account (clearly mentioning that it is THE FAKE twitter account) of Shashi Tharoor and started tweeting political satire. No vulgar language, no insult per say. But those who saw humor in the use of Holy Cows did not quite understand what the word Satire meant. They contacted Twitter HQ and got the account suspended.

Techgirl writes:

On Oct 6, I started a Twitter account ‘Shashi Tharoor Fake’. The bio in this Twitter account had the word satire and the front page even linked to my satire blog techgirltalk.blogspot.com.

My Twitter account Shashi Tharoor Fake, started on Oct 6, has built up about 100 followers. Even the United Nations Information Centre was following me. By Oct 23, Shashi Tharoor’s team had contacted Twitter in USA to suspend my account.

Shashi Tharoor’s aides never emailed me to ask for clarification. Till today, Twitter has not given me an explanation on why I am locked out. Perhaps, if they had emailed me before cutting me out, this article would never have seen light of the day. Hell hath no fury like a female satirist scorned.

And she does not forget to mention that she is “a big fan of Shashi Tharoor” and “our country and polity needs such capable people“. But what about the people who are not his “fans” or who does not think so much about him? What if such people do political satire? Would that be an even greater crime?

[From YouTube] Campaign “Let’s Do It!” – a grassroot initiative to clean up the country from illegal waste in just one day. There was over 10 000 tons of illegal waste lying around all over Estonia and it was an outrageous plan — to clean it all up on one day! More than 600 volunteers were working to make it all happen with only 3 full-time employees. On May 3, 2008 with help of 50 000 volunteers more than 10 000 tons of garbage gathered and Estonia was cleaned up from illegal waste.

The Varkala Murder case (in Kerala State) and the Police relating it to a Dalit organization have once again exposed the mindset of mainstream media, mainstream Left and extreme Right. The interesting thing is that the Left and Right (CPM and Shiv Sena) allegedly join hands along with Police to hunt down the Dalits in this case. Journalist BRP Bhaskar who has had a chance to visit the Dalit colonies in Varkala writes:

This FB friend voiced two other criticisms about the video, which was taken by a member of the fact-finding team. One is that there are no men in sight. The other is that the women refer to RSS, not Shiv Sena. The answer is simple. No men are in the video because they are all in police custody or hiding to avoid arrest and torture. The women mention RSS because they lack the sophistication needed to distinguish between different elements of Hindutva. [...]

[...]The major media institutions did not cover the Commission’s visit to Varkala, although they had prior knowledge about it. That, however, did not inhibit them from playing up the statements critical of the Commission’s visit. There was nothing to indicate that they had sought the Commission’s response to the allegations. Incidentally, Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi which have consistently ignored the police’s month-long Dalit hunt, found time to pursue the appearance of mysterious white drawings at the site of Sivaprasad’s cremation.

Also read: Chengara / Varkala : Beware of the Dalit – Insight Young Voices

Indiavision television channel in Malayalam has a different kind of reality music show. They conduct a musical reality show called “Street Light” for street singers/musicians. And the final price is to get them a house. Quite interesting. The show is telecasted in Indiavision on every Saturday and Sunday at 8:25 PM.

“I used to walk for kilometers to fetch the firewood for half the price of what was available in the neighborhood”. The mother told her son.

“I would walk with your elder brother lying on my shoulder, and the firewood on top of the head and rarely took the bus. Thus I could save 10 paise. I kept those 10 paises until I could make it to Rs. 200 and then I deposited that in the chit company”. Her son smiled, as he’s heard such stories of ‘living and saving within the limits’ from his mom earlier. He had just bought “Imagine“, a documentary DVD of John Lennon for Rs. 600 and a music album of the movie “Radio” for Rs. 160, just to see if Himesh Reshammiya is finally doing a good job on singing.

“I know mom. I remember one such time. We were going somewhere; You, me and two sisters together, I think. We walked all the way to the town and I wore a wooden high-heeled ladies chappal since my rubber slippers had nearly turned paper size. That pair of ladies chappals were abandoned by our neighbor and given to us if I remember it right. It was a hot summer day and I couldn’t walk on the road without the chappals. So after some protests initially, I had to put on those chappals. And guess what? I still remember that chappal, it’s shape and color! I don’t think I would ever forget that.”

“Have you ever thought why I had to do that? I wanted us to live within our limits and without debt. And with the little I could save, I could manage our family and it’s expenses including some weddings.” Mom said. The son took her hand in his hand and looked at her affectionately. He knew he would never understand what she said.

“I’ve worked all these years.” She said. “I’ve worked right from the childhood, starting with the paddy fields of my family in the old days. And now I lay here, not even being able to walk without help.”

“Don’t be silly. Everybody gets old and now is the time for you to relax and rest a bit. And sooner you will be able to manage things on your own. This is just temporary.”

He looked at his mother’s pale face. Her eyes were wandering around the white ceiling of the room; she must have been thinking of the old days. He planted a kiss on her forehead and said in his mind – “Don’t you worry mom, I will take care of you to the best of my capacity. I won’t let anything bad happen to you.” Then he prayed to God to keep his sources strong as long as his mother lived. He said, “Dear God, I won’t complain if you give me poverty, push me to debt, leave me living in a hut – but please, please – only after my mother’s time. When her time comes, I want her to leave happily, in prosperity and peace.”

As he looked at her affectionately again, the mother turned a daughter and the son turned a father. A circle of life was just fulfilling.

_____’s first short film “The Temptation Between Our Legs” (23 minutes, English) was denied Censor Board Certificate.

That is one of the profile credentials of a young and upcoming Malayali film maker who is now making a Tamil movie. The denial of a censor board certificate is projected as the sole recognition of the director’s first short film. I was surprised to read it in between the other credible recognitions he got, but we live in a world where we all try to market ourselves to the core. And we know that the best tool to use is sensationalism. Well, nobody needs to teaches you that; particularly if you come from journalism.

On September 23rd, a 61 year old ordinary citizen from Varkala went for his usual morning walk and was brutally killed by a group of militants with swords. By evening, the police arrested a member of DHRM (Dalit Human Rights Movement) in connection with this murder, which was followed up by the arrest of 6 others from the same group. The victim had no proven political links and the police stated that this murder was done by DHRM “to get public attention and to prove their strength in ranks“. Police also said that they are inquiring to see if DHRM has any terrorist links.

The obvious reaction of the public to all this was the utmost anger towards such outfits which use the measures of terror to gain publicity. But then I read this article in last week’s India Today (Malayalam edition) about the Varkala incident. I was surprised, because it is not in India Today’s nature to present a view that is contrary to the public opinion and I read that weekly for their local news section in the first couple of pages and then the ‘masala’ section in the last pages. Saritha Balan, a reporter of India Today (Malayalam edition) has written in detail about the backdrop of the murder in Varkala. She says it is important to ask how such an organization like DHRM could influence a majority of the Dalit communities in Ernakulam, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

Highlights of the India Today report:

• DHRM stood for the well-being of Dalits as per some of the residents of Dalit colonies
• Hundreds of families in the Muthaana, Thoduve colonies are living without the basic facilities
• There is not even one cent of land for one house in Thoduve colony, where there are more than 600 houses
• A family has to live in a ‘house’ that we can hardly call a ‘room’ by the public measures
• Even the primary education is luxury here
• There is not even a radio set for ‘luxury’

DHRM came to the scene in such a situation. As per some of the colony residents, DHRM gave them hope and they taught them to live responsibly. Most of the Dalit men were under the influence of drugs and alcoholism but DHRM conducted study classes for them. Saritha reports that an 8 year old Sandhya told her that DHRM study classes ask the children to study well and look after their parents.

“My husband would drink all day and was a total waster,” 29-year-old Kochumol, a mother of three, says. “He turned a teetotaler after attending DHRM study circles.” Soon, she followed him to these Sunday gatherings where, over five hours, Ambedkar’s life would be recalled and advice given on daily affairs. Cultural shows at the end were a big hit. Despite their meagre earnings as wage labourers — they call themselves ‘coolies’ — everyone would gladly pay Rs 30 for the events. [via]

The India Today report also quotes the colony residents and says that Shivsena activists have been threatening them. We can understand the concern of the political parties here. Communists who have been benefiting from the Dalit communities in Kerala since a very long time would not like another outfit to take the leadership of Dalits and contest in the elections. BJP and Shivsena alike would not like such a Dalit uprising as they have been trying hard to place themselves as the alternate shelter for Dalits in Kerala.

The DHRM has a notable influence among the Dalit community and they have contested elections from Attingal constituency and won 5217 votes in the last parliamentary elections. The question to ask here in this context is, did they (DHRM) have to do such a brutal murder in order to get public attention? They were already popular among the community that they work with and would they go ahead and make such a stupid decision to kill someone and get negative publicity? If it is not the DHRM, then who did that brutal murder? The questions remain unanswered until the final verdict on the case comes out. The DHRM members say that they trust the judiciary like we do and they hope the real culprits would be sent to justice.

Also read:

What is DHRM and why do they kill?
Ambedkar’s Lost Boys?

(Image courtesy: Tehelka)

When bad luck hits, it hits real bad. Life is going through the most severe testing times that I ever had. But the interesting thing is that you grow stronger after every test though you would initially think that it would make you weaker. It also helps you to pause a bit, look at the life and people around you and actually SEE them. It is a great lesson by itself.

My mom had a massive heart attack at home in the last week. She had it twice in just 4 days at the hospital and I thought I would lose her. But all the prayers seem to be answered. She had an angioplasty done and has been moved from the ICCU to a room in the hospital and I am waiting to bring her back home. I believe that prayers and wishes of people can do wonders and I can see that now. I have also learned that Faith, Family and Friends are what a person needs to keep moving forward in life.

I thank all my friends who provided me the emotional support through phone, SMS, emails and in person. It was a great relief. I still need your prayers for my mom though. I couldn’t tell or write to many of my friends because I have been real busy at hospital up to this time and couldn’t leave a word. The only thought I had in mind was to get my mother back. But some of them came over to the hospital. I thank Dr. T V Manikandan (Cardiologist) for taking good care of my mom. He is a very nice person to talk to and was patient to explain everything to us. I also want to thank my friends Ajith and Sijo. Ajith and his friend Manoj personally looked after my mom very well in the hospital ICU and kept updating me every moment of her health. Sijo provided a no-question-asked, un-conditional support when it was asked for and needed the most.

Thank God for friends and family!

Here is a song after a short break. This song is one of my top favorites by the A R Rahman-Hariharan team. I also loved Harini’s version of the song. The sweetness in Harini’s voice and Hariharan’s versatility in doing manodharam make both their versions stand on its own.

This song was requested by Maneesha CM and her friend (from Ernakulam) after they heard one of my songs through Muziboo. They called me up and asked me to sing a couple of songs and this was one of them. I totally forgot about it and remembered it when I saw a YouTube link showing Hariharan singing this song.

So here is my try as an unplugged version.

Song: Nilaa Kaaigiradhu
Movie: Indira
Music: A R Rahman
Sung by: Hariharan/Harini

Download the mp3 of Nilaa Kaaigiradhu (cover)

192 kbps player:

128 kbps player:

This is one of the most bored/depressing weekends. I don’t know if it is the weather today or the recent happenings in my life or a sum of all these that makes me feel blank today. I felt like crying and I thought twice before I just wrote “I felt like crying”. Shouldn’t I have put up a Macho face or a smiley face here instead of writing that?

Why is it so that when you are depressed you do not think about all the blessings that you have but what you do not have? Why is it so that you don’t thank God for the present and worry about the future? Why is it so that you want to hold your pain to yourself and not share it even with your close ones?

But I am thankful for all the wonderful people out there. Friends who SMSed me, called me, emailed me and said “you can talk to me if you feel like it“. Some of them are people whom I never met in my life. I’m also thankful to those who did not call, as I had written to them not to call because I did not feel like talking back then. I am also thankful to my mother who understood me and supported me throughout the recent events.

I have lost much focus on these days. I have lost my day dreams of the future and I need to come back to it. So now I am sitting up here and jotting down things just to remind myself of the things that I think I should do, or I think I want to do, I need to do or things that I really want to do. This is a self-notice post, so it may not be interesting to you at all.

• I want to do more with music. I want to do a music album. Composed and sung by myself. I want to give it my best shot. And as I remain an amateur singer, I would probably name it “The Bathroom Album“.
• I want to do another album where I would only compose songs and get my friends and other music bloggers to sing the songs in it.
• I want to get a job that would let me come home at the end of every workday. I envy people who can go home on every evening after the day’s work. But I think I should consider many other factors before I decide on this.
• I think I should learn how to be happy with the present situation (on all fronts – personal and professional) while not being stuck with it for a long time.
• I think I should stop feeling too much homesick.
• In a few years’ time, I want to stop working for companies and do business of my own. I want to start a web services company. I want to start it by myself and then slowly extend it to a small sized company of 10-20 over the years and keep it growing.
• I think I need to invest some more of my free time to achieve the above. I think I need to expand freelancing a bit more and get a steady flow of clients. Work on a bit hectic night schedules for a better future.
• I want to live and work in Bangalore for a couple of years.
• I want to live and work in a foreign country for a few months or a couple of years.
• I want to try different professions than IT, but need to check if it pays enough to pay my bills.
• I want to become a Radio Jockey.
• I want to get off Internet, job and take a very long vacation. I want to go on a trip, visit many places in India like Delhi, Bombay, Shimla, Kolkota, Haridwar, Jaipur etc. I might visit some of these places in the near future. I aso want to visit Africa, America, France, Germany, Russia, England and Switzerland (I have no particular reason why I mentioned these places).
• I want to fall in love. I should not force myself to it and it should happen naturally, even without me knowing that it is happening.
• I need to prioritize the above mentioned things and read it everyday and do a fact check on a half-yearly and yearly basis.

And I feel so much relieved after writing this!